08-05-2016, 02:15 PM
The second was no better than the first, unsurprisingly. Victoria set the ceramic down on the low table with a straight face. She kept her back straight, legs cross neatly beneath her. Keep the wall of formality up, be the perfect soldier, and it couldn't be turned around on her. Another short pause to readjust, re-analyse. Victoria would never allow herself to be caught up enough that she wouldn't, couldn't see a change coming. This time, she tentatively started to work around his trust. Not letting it grow overtly; that would be far too suspicious. Just a bit, however. Enough to put more weight behind her words.
"There is no cost the CCD is not willing to take upon ourselves."
Warmth crept into her tone, an actual sense of familiarity. Artificial, of course, but Victoria understood the need to put on a face sometimes. Perhaps she should've paid more attention to theater in school. "The CCD is no foreign, invading force anymore Elder. We serve the Custody, we serve Dominance V; we serve you. If security is an issue after this - no, we both know the fear will be there. The CCD will ensure you and your family are defended. Openly and secretly. Whatever you need to feel safe in your beds at night. Those who fight us will be offered the chance of redemption. They always will be."
Victoria allowed her face to form back into its natural hardness, ice coating her tone. "But make no mistake, Elder. I do what I do for the good of people like you, and I will do what I must. Your help is part of a relationship, one that exists over most of the known world. You help us, we help you. The Custody is not in the business of forgetting its friends. Or its enemies."
Was it too much? Hopefully not. Victoria was tensing, the warmth of the power being followed by the rush of adrenaline. Was she so inclined to take risks because the power made her feel... powerful? That was a worry. It was almost a struggle to actually stop herself from shaking those thoughts out of her head psychically. No uncertainty. Not now.
"There is no cost the CCD is not willing to take upon ourselves."
Warmth crept into her tone, an actual sense of familiarity. Artificial, of course, but Victoria understood the need to put on a face sometimes. Perhaps she should've paid more attention to theater in school. "The CCD is no foreign, invading force anymore Elder. We serve the Custody, we serve Dominance V; we serve you. If security is an issue after this - no, we both know the fear will be there. The CCD will ensure you and your family are defended. Openly and secretly. Whatever you need to feel safe in your beds at night. Those who fight us will be offered the chance of redemption. They always will be."
Victoria allowed her face to form back into its natural hardness, ice coating her tone. "But make no mistake, Elder. I do what I do for the good of people like you, and I will do what I must. Your help is part of a relationship, one that exists over most of the known world. You help us, we help you. The Custody is not in the business of forgetting its friends. Or its enemies."
Was it too much? Hopefully not. Victoria was tensing, the warmth of the power being followed by the rush of adrenaline. Was she so inclined to take risks because the power made her feel... powerful? That was a worry. It was almost a struggle to actually stop herself from shaking those thoughts out of her head psychically. No uncertainty. Not now.